Winter-summer windshield washer system



Nov. 22, 1966 w. L. KIBLER WINTER-SUMMER WINDSHIELD WASHER SYSTEM 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 25, 1964 Nov. 22, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 25, 1964 P.. mk Nu w m w u W w.

LJ mi 5m. W Zw W K By 'Id TTOP/VEX United States Patent O 3,286,932 WINTER-SUMMER WINDSHIELD WASHER SYSTEM Willis L. Kibler, Detroit, Mich., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Putnam Equipment Corporation, Cookeville, Tenn., a Corporation of Tennessee Filed May 25, 1964, Ser. No. 369,682

i 2 Claims. (Cl. 239-284) This invention relates to fluid dispensing devices and more particularly to a windshield washer system for a vehicle equipped with a windshield.

It is the object of this invention to provide an improved windshield washer system having separate washer units alternatively usable in accordance with the season of the year.

shield washing system having a plurality of separate cleaning fluids usable for different windshield cleaning conditions.

A further object of the invention is to provide a windshield washing system with a disposable solvent storing container having a supply of liquid solvent under gaseous pressure.

Another object of the invention is to provide a windshield washing system having two separate washer units with a switch and valve assembly operable to selectively connect the washer units with fluid discharging nozzle means and with a source of energy.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a rugged and versatile windshield washing system for an automobile which is economical in construction and reliable and efiicient in operation.

These and other objects and advantages of this invention will become readily apparent upon reference to the following description and the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of an automobile equipped with the windshield washing system of this invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the switch and valve assembly connected to the separate washer units of the windshield washing system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2 showing the off position of the switch and valve assembly; 1

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing the on positions of the switch and valve assembly;

FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view of the switch and valve assembly of FIG. 2 showing the ofl position thereof;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 showing the on positions of the switch and valve assembly;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 7-7 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 8-8 of FIG. 1.

Referring to the drawing, there is shown in FIG. 1 a windshield clearing system, indicated generally as 10, in assembled relation with a motor vehicle 11 shown in fragmentary form. The vehicle 11 has an upwardly and rearwardly extended windshield 12. Positioned adjacent the lower edge of the windshield 12 is a forwardly extended cowl 13 which is secured to a downwardly extended fire wall 14. The cowl 13 has a downwardly stepped front section for accommodating the hood (not shown) of the vehicle. Extended transversely across the cowl 13 are a plurality of elongated ventilating and heater air openings 16. The opposite end sections of the cowl 13 and the fire wall 14 are secured to the vehicle body side wall 17, one of which is shown. A dashboard 18 projects rearwardly and below the windshield 12.

The vehicle 11 is equipped with 'a wiper assembly in- Another object of the invention is to provide a wind- I Nice dicated generally at 19 operable to remove water and foreign material from the outer surface of the windshield 12. The wiper assembly includes a pair of wiper elements 21 positioned in engagement with the outside surface of the windshield 12. Arms 22 support the wiper elements 21 on the cowl 13 adjacent the forward edge of the wind- Shield 12. The wiper elements 21 'and their respective,

arms 22 are oscillated with respect to the windshield 12 by :an electric motor 23. A linkage 24 and power transmission unit 26 drivably connect the motor 23 with each of the arms 22.

The motor 23 is connected -by a line 27 to a manually operated switch 28 mounted on the dashboa-rd 18 within the reach of the operator of the vehicle. A line 29 couples the switch 28 to a battery 31. The switch 28 is rotatable between on :and off positions to connect and disconnect the motor 23 with the battery 31. When the motor 23 is coupled to the battery 31 the power transmission unit 26 operates to move the linkage 24 thereby transmitting motion to the arms 22 which in turn oscillate the wiper elements 21 over the windshield 12.

The windshield washing system 10 comprises a first washer unit 32 and a second washer unit 33 which are :alternatively usable to dispense a cleaning liquid on the windshield 12.

The first washer unit 32 has a reservoir 34 for storing a supply of washer liquid. 'Brackets 36 secured to the side wall 17 support the reservoir 34 in 'an upright position adjacent to the fire wall 14. Mounted on the side wall 17 below the reservoir 34 is a combination motor and 'pump assembly 37 comprising an electric motor 38 driv- 'iably coupled to an centrifugal pump 39.

A hose 41 connects the bottom of the reservoir 34 with the intake side of the pump 39 and functions to provide a direct fluid communication from the reservoir 34 to the pump. Since the pump 39 is positioned below the reservoir 34, the pump is 'always primed with cleaning liquid.

The outlet of the pump 39 is connected to a hose 42 and extends to a switch and valve assembly 43 mounted on the center portion of the fire Wall 14. The switch and valve assembly 43 functions to direct fluid from the hose 42 to :a T-coupling 44, which divides the stream of cleaning liquid into two separate hoses 46 and 47.

The opposite ends of the hoses 46 and 47 are connected to a pair of fluid dispensing nozzle .assemblies 48 and 49 secured to the downwardly stepped front section of the 'cowl 13 by screws 51 and 52, respectively. The nozzle assemblies 48 and 49 project through corresponding holes 'in the -upright portion of the downwardly stepped section of the cowl. Each nozzle assembly is in regstration with one of the air openings 16. In operation, the nozzle assemblies 48 and 49 function to direct cleaning liquid ont'o the windshield 12 into the path of movement of the oscillating wiper elements 21.

The motor 38 is connected through the switchrand valve assembly 43 to the battery 31. Line 53 couples the motor 38 with the switch portion of the switch and valve assembly 43 and line 54 leads therefrom to the switch 28. The operation and construction of the combined switch and valve assembly 43 is described hereinafter.

Referring to FIG. 7, the second washer unit 33 comprises a solvent storing container 56 held in an inverted position on a table 58 secured to the fire wall 14. The container 56 is a twenty-six ounce Aerosol can and has a conventional valve 59 projected from the cap 61. The container 56 holds -a mixture of methanol and water subjected to carbon dioxide gas pressure. In use, the container 56 is initially provided with about eghteen ounces of fluid, such as methanol or methanol and water mixed to a ratio of 1 to l or a ratio of .1 to 2. The remainin'g 'volume .in 'the 'container'-56 li-sffilled with carbon dioxide i `gas'atabout 50-p.s.i. '-I-'he-carbondioxide'gasispartially absorbed by the methanol. As the liquid is drawn from the container, the gasecus pressure therein gradually `drops because tthe .absorbed carbon Vvdioxide lreleased. For example, a `twenty-si-x V.ounce container !having :eight- Veen '.ounces 'ofmethanol or methanol Amixed with fwater at ratios `of Y1 'to .1 'or `1 to 2 and carbondioxide'gas at :5.0 p;s.i. acan -be 'used :'appr'oximately 'fifty 'times with ;a gradual reductionof :pressure :'from50 .'p:s.i. vto about 20 rp.s.'i.1as the:container is'exhausted.

- the-.sleeve 63 .andzextends zupwardlyadjacent the V`.wall fof thecontainer '56. '.The top of the lrousing 4 'has :an in- *Wardly '.directed :annular .'flange "6;6 which engages .the :bottomfiof .the .fcontainer 56. The :bottom yend ;section Aof :the :housing 64 carriesia plurlity ;of inwardly directed studs 67 'which coact .with downwardly ;inclined ;slots 68 rto zfholdthe 'container 56 on the .top'offthe table In order fto ;increase Vthe locking 'eect'iveness fof the f'hous'ing :64 .on ;the sleeve =.63 `an `annular resilient vring zmember 69 is interposed :between the :top -wall -of Vthe table 58 and the adjacent annu'lar bead T1 of `the v'con- `xtainer 56. 'The ;resilient'member 169. biases the :container ."56 in Van :upward .direction which 'in fturn Vholds 'the Vin- 'wardly directed 'studs `'67 'in the '.upwardly Yprojected 'lockingirecessesin`the`terminl end-:ofthe slots=68.

' 1The valve :59 s a conventional Aerosol' can -type of -valve .and ;opens 'in response to movemen't into -the :container 56.` When *the 'valve 'isV open =the tcile'aning 'liquid fin the container y56 fiows 'through -a 'coupling -72 .and a ;hose .73to the'switc'h-'and'va'lve assembly-43. 'The upper ;end fof `Ilre coupling 72 lis ffitted Von fthe ``tubuilar member -of .the valve 59 :and the lower endof 'the coupling `72 iszfitted=intofthe-hose 73.

As shown in FIG. 7,V the coupling 72 has an annularrib 74fand projects through a hole 777'7in 'the lever'76'w'ith the krib '7 4 fiengagingthe 'top' of the lever. As'shown in1FIG. 8,

^ 0ne=end of the lever'76 lis shaped into an eye l`78. A pin 79 projects Lthrough 'the opening of'the eye 78 and'is connected as its opposite -end' to 7inwardly 'directed Mears secured to `the side wall o'f the table L58. Thepin 79`infcon- 'junct'ion lwith theeye l78 of theleverpivotally mounts the I "lever 'on the'table"58 *for'movementftoward vand away from the'container 56. The 'oppos'ite end 'of the v`leverprojects through an uprig'htslot'82 in`the`table 58.

solenoid `83;is Asecured 'to :the side wall o'f'the table 1 581immediately above the `sljot 82. The.so`lenoid 83 has 'a movable 'core '84 which projects in .a downward direc- V.tion 'and iis ccupledlto the 1everf7:6`by a screw`86. .A line `87 electrically couples the so'lenoid.83 to therswitch porftion of the switch and valve asserribly 43.

The .switch and valve a'ssembly 43 is shown 'in FIGS; 2 to 6 and .comprises .a cylindrical body v88 secured to a rectangular shaped .head '89. As `Vshown in FIG. .3, the

"head l89 ;has a central bore 9-1 .for accommodating a ro- .tatab'le valve .member '92. VThe 'head .89 has radial passages '93, 94 and 96 which open 'to the bore .91. .A-.tubular member 97 is ypos'itioned in the passage 93 and ,projects .laterally from the'head 89`t0 receive the hose 42. Atuhu- "lar.member`98 is positioned 'in theradial passage.94 and extends 'laterally lfrom .the vhead "89. The zhose .73 is .received onV the tubular member 98. The T-coupling `44 lis 'threaded into the .radialpassage 9.6.

'The -valve member 92 has a diametrical bore 99 andan arcuategroove 101 'for providing fluid communication be- ;tween the passages 93 and 96 and 94.and 96, respectively. As shownin-FIG. 3 .the 'bore .99.and arcuate .groove `101 99 is in the position shown in FIG. 4, passages 93 .and

96 are in fiuid communication whereby Cleaning liquid in the Ihose42 will flow through the .valvemeniber 92l t into the T-coupling 44 for discharge through the nozzle` i assemblies 48 'and 49 'onto .'theiwindshield .12.

When the valve member'92`has'been rotated in 'the dii rection ofthe Varrow 103 to the broken line position shown in FIG. 4 lthe -arcuate `groove 1013provides a fluid communication Vbetween the passages 94 and 96 whereby `Cleaning ifiuid under pressure'from lthe .hose 4.73 .will'lflow to theV T'coupling -4'4 .which directs :the ;Cleaning ;fluid do the nozzle assemblies-48 and `49. :for discharge :onto :'.the lwinds'hield 12.

Asshown in FIG. '5 Vthe'valve vrnember^92 extends :into

the 'cylindrical body 88 and-isprovided with three-fcircurn--` ferentia'lly spaced peripheral recesses 104, 106 and w107.4

tPositioned in the cy'lindn'cal body 88 in alignment -with the recesses 104, 106 'and 107 is a spring biased'deten't 108, Villustrated asa ball and spring -held 'in 'a 'bore by a screw 110. The detent 108 selectivelyrcoacts withith'e recesses 104, 106 and 107 to Vindex the Vposition of =the valve member 92 with respect'to the body 88. TProjected rearwardly and radially from'the rearward-end of the valve member 92 is an arm 109 which is used to angulai'l-y move the valve member 92 between the indexedpos'itions determined by the recesses 104, t10.6 Vand 107.` Whentthe detent 108 is in there'cess '104 the valve member 92 Ais in the closed position 'as shown in FIG. 3.

A radial stud 111 is threaded into the topside of the valve member 92. The outer end of the stud llLcarries a fiat electrical conductor 112 which is .connected to `'the `line "54. :V The body 88 'has a circumferential recess l113/ to ,permit .angular movement of .the stud '111. A .pair of electrical contacts 114V and 116 are secured t-othefbody 88adjacen't the 'opposite sidesof the recess 113. Each of the contacts 114 and 116 has a radal slit for receivinfg the flat conductor 112 mounted 'on the stud 11'1. Line `53` is connected to the contact 114 -and line 87 is connected 'to 'the contact 116.

In `the operation ,of the first washer unit 32 -thevalve member 92 isrotated in |the direction of thearroW .102.as 'shown in FIG. v6 until the .detent.108.ispositioned inlthe recess 106.

112 and 114 to line 53 thereby supplying fithe motor 38 `with electrical energy. The -operation -of the motor 38 and pump 39 drawscleaning fluid from .the 'reservoir 34 .and discharges under. pressure cleaning fluid into the .hose

l42 which transports the .cleauing fluid to 'the switch and valve assembly 43. The bore '-99 provides :an uninterrupted route for the flowrof liquid .into the .'I`-'coup`ling.44.`

As shown 'in FIG. l, .the lT-coupling 44 is connected 'to 'the hoses '46 and 47 which carry the liquid lto the nozzle assemblies 48 and 49, respectively. 'I=`he `Cleaning 'fluid 'being undcr'pressure in the nozzle 'assemblies 48 and 49 is discharged therefrom onto the lwindshie'ld 12 ,in 'the path i of ;the 'wiper element 21.

Under Winter driving conditions, or 'to .remove Qinsects` from the windshield, Vit may `be Vdes'irable to dispense za Vspecialized .solvent onto the windshield. This is accomplished by using the second washer unit 33. .ffoconnect the .second washer'unit 33 ina-fluidrelation with the :noz-

p rIn this position,the electrical Yconductor 112 is .in engagement with the electrical contact :114 thereby zle assemblies 48 and 49 the valve member 92 is rotated in the ldirection of the arrow 103 until the detent 108 is in registration with the 'recess 107 as shown in full lines in FIG. 6. In 'this position the electrical conductor 112 is in engagement with the contact 116 thereby electrically coupling the line 54 'with the line 87. As shown in broken lines in FIG. 4, the arcuate groove 101 connects the passages 94 and 96 thereby providing a fluid route from the hose 73 to the T-coupling 44.

On aotuation of the switch 28 the solenoid 83 is electrically coupled -to the battery 31. The solenoid core 84 moves in an upward direction pivoting the lever 76 on the pin 79. This upward movement of the lever carries the valve 59 up into the container 56 with the re'sultant opening of 'the valve. The liquid in the container 56 being under gas pressure flows through the valve 59, the coupling 72 and into the hose 73. The switch and valve assembly 43 directs the fluid in the hose 73 to the T-coupling 44 which divides the flow of liquid into two separate portions transported vby the hoses 46 and 47 to the nozzle assemblies 48 and 49, respectively. The liquid will be discharged 'as a continuous stream from the nozzle assemblies 48 and 49 as long as the valve 59 is held in an open position. When the operator of the vehicle opens the switch 28 the solenoid 83 will de-energize and the lever 76 will fall to its initial position as shown in FIG. 8. The valve 59 Will automatically close thus terminating the flow of liquid from the container 56 into the hose 73.

In Summary the windsheld washing system has a first washer unit 32 storing a cleaning liquid and operable to discharge cleaning liquid under pressure onto the windsheld and a second washer unit 33 storing a second cleaning liquid under gas pressure and operable to discharge this liquid onto the windsheld. A valve means is connected in a fluid relation With the first washer unit and second washer unit and with at least one nozzle assembly mounted on the vehicle forward of the windsheld. The valve means has .1a movable member which is indexed to positions to alternately connected the first washer unit and the second washer unit with the nozzle assembly. Actuation of either the first or second washer units will discharge cleaning fluid through the nozzle assemblies onto the windsheld 12.

While there have been shown, -described, and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention it is to be understood that various omissions, substitutions, changes in form, and details of the windsheld washer system illustrated may be made by those skilled in the art without depar-ting from the spirit of the invention which is intended to =be limited only 'as indicated by the scope of the following claims.

I claim: f

1. A windsheld washing system for a vehicle having a windsheld and a source of energy comprising:

(a) a first washer unit having a reservoir for storing a first cleaning liquid, pump means for moving the first liquid from the reservoir under pressure and motor means for Operating said pump means,

(b) a second washer unit having a container for storing a second cleaning liquid under gas pressure, valve means mov'able to open and closed positions for controlling the flow of liquid from said container, lever means engageable with said valve means for moving said valve means to the open position, and solenoid means operably connected to said lever means for moving the lever means to a position to open the valve means, i

(c) nozzle means for directing liquid to the windsheld,

and

(d) 'a switch and valve assembly having a switch section and a valve 'section for selectively connecting the motor means to the source of energy and lthe pump means in a fluid communicating relation with the nozzle means Whereby upon actuation of the motor means the pump means discharges the first cleaning fluid under pressure to said valve section which directs said fluid to the nozzle means, and for selectively connecting the solenoid means -to the source of energy and the valve means in a fluid communicating relation With the nozzle means whereby upon actuation 'of the 'solenoid means the second fluid is dispensed from said container and directed by the valve section to the nozzle means.

2. A windsheld washing system for a vehicle having a windsheld and a source of energy comprising:

(a) a first washer unit having a reservoir for storing 'a first cleaning liquid, pump means for moving the first liquid from the reservoir under pressure and motor means for Operating said pump means,

(b) a second washer unit having a container for storing a second cleaning liquid under pressure, valve means movable to open and closed positions for lcontrolling the flow of liquid from said container, and solenoid means operably connected to said valve means for moving the valve means 'to an open position therefor,

(c) nozzle means for directing liquid to the windsheld,

and

(d) a switch and valve assembly having a switch section and .a valve section for selectively connecting 'the motor means to the source of energy and the pump means in a fluid communicating relation With the nozzle means whereby upon actuation of 'the motor means the pump means discharges the first cleaning fluid under pressure to said Valve section which directs said fluid to the nozzle means, and for selectively connecting the 'solenoid means to the source of energy and the valve means in a fluid communicating relation with the nozzle means whereby upon actuation of the solenoid means the second fluid is dispensed from said container and directed by the valve section to the nozzle means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,9 14,25 6 11/ 1959 OShei 239-284 2,941,728 6/1960 Paldanius 239-284 2,967,643 1/ 1961 Edelstein et al 239 2,991,912 7/1961 Thomas et al 239-70 3,127,060 3/ 1964 Vosbikian et al.

OTHER REFERENCES A. Herzka and I. Picktholl: Pressurized Packaging, published by Butterworth-s Scientific Publications, London, 1958, pp. 40, 74, and 339.

EVERETT W. KIRBY, Primary Examiner. 

1. A WINDSHIELD WASHING SYSTEM FOR S VEHICLE HAVING A WINDSHIELD AND A SOURCE OF ENERGY COMPRISING: (A) A FIRST WASHER UNIT HAVING A RESERVOIR FOR STORING A FIRST CLEANING LIQUID, PUMP MEANS FOR MOVING THE FIRST LIQUID FROM THE RESERVOIR UNDER PRESSURE AND MOTOR MEANS FOR OPERATING SAID PUMP MEANS, (B) A SECOND WASHER UNIT HAVING A CONTAINER FOR STORING A SECOND CLEANING LIQUID UNDER GAS PRESSURE, VALVE MEANS MOVABLE TO OPEN AND CLOSED POSITIONS FOR CONTROLLING THE FLOW OF LIQUID FROM SAID CONTAINER, LEVER MEANS ENGAGEABLE WITH SAID VALVE MEANS FOR MOVING SAID VALVE MEANS TO THE OPEN POSITION, AND SOLENOID MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID LEVER MEANS FOR MOVING THE LEVER MEANS TO A POSITION TO OPEN THE VALVE MEANS, (C) NOZZLE MEANS FOR DIRECTING LIQUID TO THE WINDSHIELD, AND 